PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Stevan Ridley off and running for New England Patriots – ESPN Boston

by

Stevan Ridley off and running for New England Patriots – ESPN Boston

Ridley had five carries that went for 15 yards or more. No Patriots running back in at least the past 25 years has done that in a single game, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Not John Stephens, not Curtis Martin, not Corey Dillon. The big running play had been noticeably absent from New England’s attack for several seasons. BenJarvus Green-Ellis provided a great deal of stability to the running game – he never fumbled and he provided consistent gains in short yardage – but the big play simply wasn’t in his repertoire. In fact, Green-Ellis had just four 15-yard runs all last season – one fewer than Ridley managed in his first game as a primary back.

Week 1 Film Review: In Praise of Patriots’ Defense – NYTimes.com

by

Week 1 Film Review: In Praise of Patriots’ Defense – NYTimes.com

This won’t last forever but I’m sure enjoying it…

If this is how the Patriots’ defense is going to play this season, the N.F.L. could save us all time and give Robert Kraft the Lombardi Trophy right now. Bill Belichick’s men weren’t spectacular at Tennessee, but they were solid. Rock solid. The first-round rookie Chandler Jones stood out in run defense and got pressure on Jake Locker a time or two. Linebackers Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes and first-rounder Dont’a Hightower were fantastic at identifying running lanes and keeping everything in front of them in pass defense. The Titans’ offense didn’t do much to challenge this group. Chris Johnson was once again terrible, dancing in the backfield and avoiding contact at all cost. The Patriots didn’t even bother bringing an eighth defender into the box against him. In fact, the Patriots didn’t bother to do anything complex, aside from disguising some of their Cover 3 looks as two-deep zones early in the down. They played a very basic, fundamentally sound brand of football.

Line leads way for Patriots – Patriots – Boston.com

by

Line leads way for Patriots – Patriots – Boston.com

Great game breakdown from Greg Bedard…

The Patriots want the defensive tackles, Vince Wilfork and Kyle Love, to patrol both the A and B gaps, on either sides of the guards. The ends are responsible for the C and D gaps. That might seem impossible, and it almost is. But that’s how good the Patriots are. When they are single blocked, the Patriots are to stand the lineman up, read the running back, and then shed the block one way for the other to make or force a play. Even if the tackles have two blockers pushing against them, they are supposed to anchor and not be moved. The strength it takes is incredible. Yet they do it time and time again.

Is New England Patriots Defensive Rebuild Nearly Complete? | Bleacher Report/Frenz

by

Is New England Patriots Defensive Rebuild Nearly Complete? | Bleacher Report/Frenz

Epic breakdown from Frenz here breaking down the nuts and bolts of the transition from the last days of the dynasty defense to what we saw on the field this past Sunday.

This has really been one of my main focuses since I started blogging about the Pats during the 2007 season. The most interesting thing to me is how the current incarnation of the defense was not built in the model of what worked in the early 2000’s, it’s something completely of it’s own.

Still they have a lot of similarities. The nose tackle is arguably the most important piece of the old 3-4 defense, and while that’s no longer the base defense Vince Wilfork is still the most vital piece on the board.

Chandler Jones is a different kind of player than Richard Seymour was, but just as vital in a Willie McGinest-type role at defensive end.

Finally Rodney Harrison was absolutely vital to the old defense as the safety who was most commonly employed in the box or as a “robber”. The biggest question the Pats will have to face next on this defensive evolution is whether or not Patrick Chung is the player that can fill that role long term.